Electric switch



A. J. BQWIE ELECTRIC SWITCH June 9, 1931.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1925 FIG-.5

FIG, 6

IN VEN TOR.

June 9, 1931. J, BOWIE 1,809,232

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 26, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' Patented June 9, i931 AUGUSTUS JESSE BOWIE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed January 26, 1925. Serial No. 4,825.

It is the object of this invention to provide improvements .in the operation of switch bladesand switch clips. The invention is particularly applicable to outdoor practice where after periods of long disuse the blade is subjected to corrosion and sticking in the switch clips. This sticking is so severe in some cases that the operation of long blades is impracticable without auxiliary means of freeing the blades from the clips.

One of the methods by which I overcome the difiiculties is to mount the clip on a movable carriage and to have the initial motion of the clip give a small torsional movement of the blade within the clip, thus tending to free the blade from any sticking.

The most important part of the invention consists in the fact that the clip contacts are positively pulled apart from the blade by the initial motion of the mechanism to operate the blade. This result may be accomplished in many ways, such as imparting pressure-to the clip faces from the initial movement of the clip and blade in such a manner as to pull the clip faces definitely away from the blade and thus directly break any frictional hold. This is a most effective way of overcomin the effect of any corrosion or freezing in cold climates. As an alternative, however, the blade itself may be accordingly pulled away from the clip; for instance, if the blades surround the clip contact they may be separated by suitable wedging action, or, if the-blades are double and make external contact with the clip they may bed-rawn together by a corresponding action. An im ortant feature is that blade and clip must e so correlated as preferably tohave aninitial movement before engaging with the means which is used to separate the contact of these two parts. While the initial motion may be such as to cause a twisting between the blade and clip,

it is. generally referable, however, to make the clip aws 0 such construction that if the pull between the blade and clip jaws is s ufli-- ciently hard, the jaws of themselves will stick with the blade until they impinge upon the means provided for freeing the blade and clip 'jaws.

- clip insulator 10.

mounted on base 9, with its sides surrounding loo Another important feature of the invention is that the initial motion allowed will be such that a reasonable amount of inertia can be obtained so as to give a hammer blow for the liberating of the blade fromthe clip.

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of a switch.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged corresponding elevation of the clip contact of said switch.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows a transverse section and elevation of Fig. 2, along the line A, A.- In these figures the blade makes contact between two clip faces.

Fig. 5 shows in plan view an alternative construction wherein the clip consists of a central member with a. bifurcated blade surrounding the same.

Fig. 6 shows a side elevation thereof.

1 Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of Fig. 5, on the line B, B.

Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of Fig. 6, on the line C, C.

Fig. 9 shows a plan viewof another type of construction similar to. that shown in Fi 1.

. ig. 10 shows a side elevation of same.

Fig. 11 shows a section on the line D, D, of,

-Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows a section along the line E, E,

' of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 shows a modified form of construction wherein the blade structure has a pivoted end to engage with the clip.

Fig. 14 shows a cross sectional elevation of Fig. 13, along the line F, F.

1, 1, are clip faces mounted in a U shaped. spring clip 2, which forces the faces into contact'with the clip by pressing the ball shaped surfaces 23. 3, isa flexible -shunt attached to clip faces 1, 1, for conveying current to the bar 4, from which the current is taken thru the lug 5, .0 the outgoing'circuit. 6', is a metal casing carrying the clipconsistingof clip faces 1,'spring 2, and shunt 3 and lug 5 rigidly attached thereto, and is pivoted on pivot 7 which is supported in upright 8, rigidly attached to clip base 9, mounted on 11, is a U shaped piece the clip and terminating in bent ends 12, 12, which are above the clip faces. 13, is a blade pivoted on pivot 14, mounted on hinge insulator 15. 16, is an arm of the blade 13. 17, is an operating link thru which the blade is moved by an suitable mechanism, such as the rocking msu ator 18, mounted on shaft 19, in bushing 20, rotating in support 21. 22, 22, are terminal lugs on clip faces 1, 1, which limit theyangular motion of clip faces in U shaped 8 ring 2. The clip faces are provided wit ball joints 23, and round pins 24, which latter extend thru holes in the s ring clip 2. The mounting hence is such t at a small rotation of clip faces 1,.1, is allowable in spring 2, but the bosses 22, 22,impinging against the upper part of spring 2 Wlll limit the angle of rotation.

The action is as follows:

When blade 13 is operated in opening the switch thru the motion of insulator 18, and link 17, the clip faces 1, 1, and casing 6, are

carried u ward rotating about pivot 7.

The a oresaid mountin lows a sli ht torsional an e. After the clip has move up a sufficient istance the ends 12, 12, will strike on the clip faces 1, 1, and will positively separate these clip faces from the lade, thus overcoming the effect of adhesion between the clip faces and blade end. The fact that a short distance of travel is allowed before this result takes place provides a hammer blow which is very useful in overcoming any sticking of the clip faces on the blade and as a result the blade is readily released .with comparatively small effort.

The construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive provides for the breaking of friction hold previously mentioned and is generally ample to overcome in a simple manner the frictional resistance between the clip and blade. The initial result is that the clip faces 1, 1, after striking ends 12, 12, will pivot around the ball seats 23 and allow only the lower half of the blade edge to remain in contact with the clip faces 1, 1, until the blade is entirely withdrawn. In case it is desired to pull t e entire cli faces away from the blade, this could be one by providing wedge shaped pieces on the outer end of bosses 24, which would ride upward on motion of easing 6, on corresponding fixed wedges, thus positlvely pulling the entire clip faces away from the blade, but in general the action shown in Fig. 4, is to be preferred, both on the ground of sim licitg and economy of construction.

The engt of the blade 13, being relatively long in comparison with the other dimensions will result in small motion of the clip and blade being possible without inducing any material operating strains and the bosses 22, 22 allow a correspondingly small rotational angle of clip faces allowing them to adhere to the blade durilzg the initial motion. After p beyond e hmit thereof these clip of clip faces alface bosses 2 2, 22, will hit with a hammer blow on the spring clip 2, and tend hence to free the blade by torsion; but the referable method of overcoming adhesion is y the actual pulling apart of the clip faces as shown in Fig. 4 and the hammer blow between faces 1, 1, and ends 12, 12 is hence greatly to be desired.

While the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, comprises a clip external to the blade, an alternative construction may be used such as shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, wherein 25 takes the place of the clip, consistin of a central member on which the bifurcate ends of blade 13 make external contact. 26, is a stationary member mounted rigidl on base 9, and is provided with an oval s aped projection 27, which is slightly wider at its widest point than clip 25.

The action is as follows:

When the blade endis moved upward in opening the two ends of blade 13 will impinge with a hammer blow upon piece 27 which will separate them, thus positively withdrawing them from the clip when breaking the frictional hold. The construction is quite parallel to that shown in the first four figures, and in general 'inclndes merely an external, instead f an internal blade, the other features of d sign being identical.

Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12 show a'modified form, of constructionsimilar in principle to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, wherein piece 11, instead of being solidly mounted, is mounted on lpivot 28, set-in lugs 29, ri 'dly attached to ase 9. A spring 30, ten s to keep the piece 11 in the position shown. This piece is set in a slot 31 in casing 6.

When the blade end moves upward and carries the clip and casing 6, the righthand edge of slot 31 moves over the inclined portion of piece 11, causing this piece to forwardand the tynes 12, 12, will then strike the clip faces 1, 1, and cause the liberation of the clipin the manner shown in Fig. 4.

Fi 's. 13 and 14, show an alternative method of operation wherein the blade 13, is provided with a blade end 31, pivoted on pivot 32. Blade 13 is provided with limit bosses 33 and 34, which limit the rotation of the blade end. 35 is a shunt for carrying the current between-blade 13 and blade end 31.

In closing the switch the resistance of the clip is such that blade end 31, is forced in by projection 33, of blade 13, and in opening the blade end is free to move thru a slight angular motion until boss 34 impinges on blade end 31. In the meantime the blade end 31, has assumed such a position that it will impinge on projections 36, 36, of clip faces 1, 1, and will tend to liberate the clip faces from the clip in the same manner as in the construction shown in Fig. 4.

The novel features of this invention consist in the fact that the motion of the blade ends cause a positive breaking of the frictional contact between clip and blade other than that caused by the direct withdrawal from the blade. In other words, the initial motion in opening is such as to provide definite means of breaking directly this friction hold and separating the surfaces in contact by a direct pull preferably in a direction transverse to the plane of contact. Also the effect of inertia caused by slight motion is made of avail in giving a hammer blow to effect the same result and cause the liberation of the blade.

What I claim is:

1. In an electric switch a blade, a clip contacting with said blade for carrying current therefrom, in combination with means for allowing an initial motion of said blade and said clip without substantial change of contact surfaces, and means actuated b the initial motion of said blade and said'clip for reducing the pressure between said blade and said clip, thereby effecting the ready release of said clip. 7

2. In an electric switch a blade, a clip for contacting with said blade for carrying current therefrom and means for allowing a small free motion of both said blade and said clip on the initial movement of opening said switch, in combination with means for releasing the contact between said blade and said clip thru a hammer blow tending to separate transversely the contact faces of said clip and blade at the end of said movement.

3. In an electric switch a blade, a clip engaging said blade for carrying current therefrom, a movable member on which said clip is mounted, a second member adapted to diminish the contact pressure between said clip and said blade thru the motion of said clip and said movable member.

4. In an electric switch a blade, a clip engaging said blade for carrying current therefrom, a movable pivoted member on which said oh is mounted, a second member adapted to diminish the contact pressure between said clip and said blade upon the motion of said clip and said movable member, and

thereb effect the ready liberation of said blade rom said clip.

5. In an electric switch a blade, a clip contactin with said blade for carrying current there rom, an insulating support on which said clip is movably mounted, and means for causing said clip to effect the ready liberation of said blade from said clip thru the reduction of pressure between the contacts of said blade and said clip.

6. In an electric switch, a blade, a clip comprising contact faces for contacting with said blade, a supporting member in which said contact faces are pivotally mounted the axis of said pivot mounting being transverse to and passin throu h said faces when in contact with 51o bla e, a stop for limiting the rotational motion of said faces said stop being adapted to effect thereby the ready liberation of said blade from said clip, a carriage on which said clip is mounted adapted to provide an initial motion on starting to open the switch such that the relative positions of said clip faces and said blade will not be materiall altered until said clip faces impinge on sai stop for limiting the rotation thereof.

In testimon whereof, I afiix my signature.

AU USTUS JESSE BOWIE. 

